Koi Wakizashi – Hand Forged 1065 Carbon Steel Wakizashi Sword

Koi Wakizashi – Hand Forged 1065 Carbon Steel Wakizashi Sword

The wakizashi (short sword, traditionally worn as the companion to the katana) occupies a specific functional niche that the Koi Wakizashi fills with the same steel and geometry as its longer sibling. At 56.0 cm of blade length, this is a blade built for close-range work, indoor practice, and paired training – not a shortened katana, but a purpose-dimensioned tool with its own handling logic.

Specifications

What the Steel Does

1065 high carbon steel responds well to the functional demands of a shorter blade. Oil quench and temper brings the steel into a hardness range where edge retention is real – sharp enough to cut cleanly, not so hard that the edge is at risk under lateral stress. The 3.2 cm blade width and 0.7 cm spine thickness are identical to the Koi katana, which means the cross-section geometry is consistent across both blades if you train with the matching set. That is not a minor detail: a practitioner who transitions between the two will find the edge angle and thickness-behind-edge feel familiar immediately.

The shinogi-zukuri (ridgeline) profile on a 56.0 cm blade produces a geometry that tracks well through shorter cutting arcs. The ridgeline stabilizes the blade laterally through the cut, and at this length the geometry is stiff enough that there is very little observable flex under standard cutting loads.

The Feel of It

The 24.0 cm handle is sized for a firm one-hand grip or a close two-hand position – not the extended two-hand leverage of a katana, but a more compact, wrist-driven grip that suits the shorter blade’s mechanics. The cotton ito (handle wrap) on the Koi Wakizashi is wound with the same close tension as the katana, and the diamond pattern of the wrap gives your palm consistent points of positive contact across the full handle length. The aohada saya draws cleanly with no appreciable play, and at 80.0 cm total length the whole package is maneuverable in spaces where the katana would require conscious footwork to manage.

Maintenance Notes

Wipe down with a lightly oiled cloth after every use – the 1065 steel is carbon, not stainless, and surface rust will establish quickly if the blade is stored without protection. A few drops of light mineral oil or choji oil (clove-scented sword-maintenance oil, traditional for Japanese blades) on a soft cloth is sufficient after each session. Inspect the handle wrap periodically; cotton ito under heavy use can loosen at the end knots, and re-securing those points early prevents the wrap from migrating along the handle.